Several climate activists from Renovate Switzerland temporarily blocked the Mont Blanc Bridge in Geneva on Saturday. They called on the government to speed up the thermal renovation of buildings.
The blockade of the road near the bridge at the railway station started at 2pm and ended at around 4pm, according to police. Four activists had glued their hands to the asphalt. Of those who took part in the action, the youngest was 20 and the oldest 77.
Six activists were arrested and taken to the police station. Traffic was disrupted for almost an hour-and-a-half.
Renovate SwitzerlandExternal link, which blocked the same stretch of road six months ago, is calling on the government to immediately allocate CHF4 billion ($4 billion) to retrain 100,000 people in thermal renovation jobs.
More
More
Switzerland’s ‘disappointing’ contribution to an emissions-free planet
This content was published on
If all countries had a climate policy like Switzerland’s, global temperatures could rise by 4°C by the end of the century.
Renovate Switzerland is the Swiss branch of a civil resistance movement that exists in a dozen other countries. The group says it will continue its protests until the government hears its demands.
It wants a national plan to renovate the one million homes that need urgent insulation by 2040 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The campaigners are also calling for subsidies for energy-efficient building renovation to reach CHF1 billion a year from 2023, which they say is five times more than at present.
More
More
Swiss CO2 law defeated at the ballot box
This content was published on
Swiss voters have rejected legislation at the heart of the country’s strategy to abide by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
This content was published on
Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
Swiss LGTBIQ helpline: attacks more than doubled in 2023
This content was published on
Three organisations jointly operating a helpline have called for more awareness, action and funding to address discrimination.
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Swiss employment rate rises in first quarter of 2024
This content was published on
The number of women and foreign nationals in employment increased particularly strongly, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday.
Coercion still an issue in Swiss welfare system, report finds
This content was published on
The rights of vulnerable people are still sometimes disregarded by the Swiss welfare system, a national research programme has found.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
UN climate report paints bleak picture for decades ahead
This content was published on
Switzerland runs the risk of experiencing more heat waves, heavy rains, and droughts, said Sonia Seneviratne from the Federal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich. “Affecting agriculture and ecosystems, these [extreme weather events] will increase in frequency and intensity in the western part of Central Europe, and thus in Switzerland, as global warming continues,” said Seneviratne…
Climate activists arrested for blocking Swiss oil refinery
This content was published on
Climate activists who blocked the entrance to Switzerland’s main oil refinery were arrested on Monday by police and their barricade was removed.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.